10 things no one tells you about working from home

The reality of working from home: 10 things no one tells you

Many of us want to work from home, especially those juggling elderly relatives or young children. We hear how great it is to choose your own hours and spend time with family, but is it really all sunshine and flowers?

While working from home has many benefits, there are significant downsides. Here are 10 things no one tells you about working from home.

1. It can get lonely

This is the top complaint for those new to the home office. There are no chats around the tea break and, for those juggling young children, often no adults to talk to at all. It can mean long hours with only the dog for company. Personally, I do not find it lonely because I ensure I am out there networking with like minded business owners online and offline. Social media has become my new water cooler.  The VA Membership is also like having an office of people to ask questions of.

2. Home and work life become blurred

Boundaries are a real issue. It is all too easy to start answering client calls outside of working hours or, conversely, taking a day off to sunbathe when you have a looming deadline.  You will see pictures of people working from their laptop in the garden, never been able to achieve that!

3. You answer only to yourself

This one has a sting in the tail. Being your own boss means you must give yourself a kick up the rear when needed. You are the only person responsible for your productivity.

4. There is no backup plan

You are the business. Unless you have a work buddy agreement, there is no cover if you want a holiday or fall ill. It is critical to have the support of an associate VA you can call upon when the need arises.

5. Unsteady pay

Unless you have regular retainer clients, pay can be erratic, especially with ad hoc jobs. On the flip side, you have the potential for much higher earnings if you put the work in now.

6. The hours can be long

You might pick your ideal hours, but if you are not disciplined with your workload, you will end up working much longer than you ever planned.

7. There is no escape

Many of us work from home for a better work life balance. However, if you have children, there are only so many times you can tell a little one mummy is working before you lose your cool or your heart breaks. Unless you invest in childcare, there is no escape. When you leave your desk, the work is still there, making it very easy to find yourself back at the computer late at night.

8. You might end up working in your pyjamas

For many, this sounds like a benefit, but it rarely enhances productivity or motivation. A much better option is to treat work time as professional time and dress accordingly.

9. The guilt increases

Spending time with loved ones is why we start, but it often leads to more guilt. If your partner has a day off while you have a mountain of work, or the children are on holiday while you are busy, the guilt rises. I even feel guilty popping to the supermarket during the working day!

10. It is harder than it looks

People often say they would love to work from home, but it requires strength and discipline. You must be firm with yourself, your time, and your family.

As the boss, you must make tough choices. That might mean investing in childcare, telling family they cannot just pop in for tea, or hiring a room away from home to get work done in peace.

Working from home is not always easy, but you can make it work by getting clear on your boundaries from the start. If you want to move from struggling to thriving, our VA Momentum Course covers the business structures you need to stay professional and profitable. While the VA Membership can not only give you professional development but also that community of business colleagues.  Have a read of our recent blog all about “working from home, the good, the bad and the boundaries!“